Department of Chemistry course timetable

The aim of this course is to provide an idea of what kind of scientific problems can be solved by solid state NMR. It will cover how NMR can be used to study molecular structure, nanostructure and dynamics in the solid state, including heterogeneous solids, such as polymers, MOFs, energy-storage and biological materials. No previous knowledge of solid state NMR will be required, just a basic working knowledge of solution-state NMR for 1H and 13C, i.e. undergraduate level NMR. In order to highlight the utility of this technique, some materials based research using solid state NMR will also be covered.

The aim of this course is to provide an idea of what kind of scientific problems can be solved by solid state NMR. It will cover how NMR can be used to study molecular structure, nanostructure and dynamics in the solid state, including heterogeneous solids, such as polymers, MOFs, energy-storage and biological materials. No previous knowledge of solid state NMR will be required, just a basic working knowledge of solution-state NMR for 1H and 13C, i.e. undergraduate level NMR. In order to highlight the utility of this technique, some materials based research using solid state NMR will also be covered.

Probe microscopy is a general term for a class of microscopy in which well-defined nanoscale probes are used to interact with a sample in some manner. In this introductory lecture the necessary background principles to understand probe microscopy are explained with reference to Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy in both tapping and contact mode. This will provide the user with the necessary background to make the most of the increasingly well-used Departmental Keysight 5500 multimode system, which is operated and maintained by the Melville Lab. Probe microscopy is of interest to anyone with a need to perform single molecule or surface based studies. Typically anything involving a surface interaction is accessible and the technique is particularly well suited to studying a variety of chemical and electromechanical properties of aggregates with 1-1000 nm dimensions. Recently, the system has been used to study cellulose crystals, amyloid fibres, protein monolayers, thermal properties of polymer films, doped graphite and so on.

Other modes are available on the Keysight system such as pico-trec, electrochemical STM, EFM, KFM, MFM, and LFM and these modes will be described but not explained in detail during the lecture.

These lectures will introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. The aim is to provide an overview that will inspire and serve as a basis for researchers to use the Department’s single-crystal and/or powder X-ray diffraction facilities or to appreciate more effectively results obtained through the Department’s crystallographic services. The final lecture will be devoted to searching and visualising crystallographic data using the Cambridge Structural Database system.

These lectures will introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. The aim is to provide an overview that will inspire and serve as a basis for researchers to use the Department’s single-crystal and/or powder X-ray diffraction facilities or to appreciate more effectively results obtained through the Department’s crystallographic services. The final lecture will be devoted to searching and visualising crystallographic data using the Cambridge Structural Database system.

Probe microscopy is a general term for a class of microscopy in which well-defined nanoscale probes are used to interact with a sample in some manner. In this introductory lecture the necessary background principles to understand probe microscopy are explained with reference to Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy in both tapping and contact mode. This will provide the user with the necessary background to make the most of the increasingly well-used Departmental Keysight 5500 multimode system, which is operated and maintained by the Melville Lab. Probe microscopy is of interest to anyone with a need to perform single molecule or surface based studies. Typically anything involving a surface interaction is accessible and the technique is particularly well suited to studying a variety of chemical and electromechanical properties of aggregates with 1-1000 nm dimensions. Recently, the system has been used to study cellulose crystals, amyloid fibres, protein monolayers, thermal properties of polymer films, doped graphite and so on.

Other modes are available on the Keysight system such as pico-trec, electrochemical STM, EFM, KFM, MFM, and LFM and these modes will be described but not explained in detail during the lecture.

This compulsory course will equip you with the skills required to manage the research information you will need to gather throughout your graduate course, as well as the publications you will produce yourself. It will also help you enhance your online research profile and measure the impact of research.

A short break for refreshments will be included

The first session will describe the basics of electron diffraction and the main differences from X-ray and neutron diffraction, particularly as regards the strength of the interaction and the complications caused by multiple scattering. The advantages of the method in determining unit cell dimensions will also be discussed.

Session two will concentrate on the advantages conferred by forming images with electrons but also on the inherent problems such as the effect of aberrations on the ultimate resolution. If there is sufficient time, a consideration of the information available in high resolution images will be made.

This compulsory session introduces Research Data Management (RDM) to Chemistry PhD students. It is highly interactive and utilises practical activities throughout.

Key topics covered are:

• Research Data Management (RDM) - what it is and what problems can occur with managing and sharing your data.
• Data backup and file sharing - possible consequences of not backing up your data, strategies for backing up your data and sharing your data safely.
• Data organisation - how to organise your files and folders, what is best practice.
• Data sharing - obstacles to sharing your data, benefits and importance of sharing your data, the funder policy landscape, resources available in the University to help you share your data.
• Data management planning - creating a roadmap for how not to get lost in your data!

Lunch and refreshments are included for this course

The first session will describe the basics of electron diffraction and the main differences from X-ray and neutron diffraction, particularly as regards the strength of the interaction and the complications caused by multiple scattering. The advantages of the method in determining unit cell dimensions will also be discussed.

Session two will concentrate on the advantages conferred by forming images with electrons but also on the inherent problems such as the effect of aberrations on the ultimate resolution. If there is sufficient time, a consideration of the information available in high resolution images will be made.